Joyful are the Persecuted

Joyful Are: “The Persecuted”
Matthew 5:1-12
Page # 960

1. We are humbled.
2. We confess Godly sorrow.  
3. We become gentle in spirit.  
4. We hunger for God and His ways.  
5. We overflow with mercy.
6. We walk in purity.
7. We become peacemakers.
8. We are joyfully persecuted for Christ.

I. Persecution is to be expected for the Godly.

John 15:18-21    Page # 1079
Galatians 4:28-29   Page # 1167
2 Timothy 3:10-12  Page # 1192 

     Compromise
     Isolate            
     Engage      

II. Persecution comes to us at different times and in distinct ways.

Job 1:12 - …Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him…”

Acts 9:15-16 - … “Go, for (Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”      

Hebrews 11:36-38 - “…they had mockings and scourgings, ….chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth."

Matthew 5:10-12

     1. Death
     2. Physical mistreatment    
     3. Verbal insults
     4. False accusations

III. Persecution brings rewards.  

     1. God’s kingdom belongs to us.
     2. Great is our reward in heaven.

Faith Sheet  

Main Themes    

~ Persecution is to be expected for all believers some time in our life.
~ Persecution for Christ reveals we are truly His.
~ Those persecuted will be rewarded by the Lord Himself.

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday    
Joyful are: “The Persecuted”
Matthew 5:1-12

1. Read Matthew 5:1-12. Discuss Sunday’s message with someone.
2. Read Romans 8:16-18. What does suffering for righteousness reveal
    about us?
3. What types of persecution are you willing to endure for walking with
    Christ? What are you afraid of when it comes to persecution or
    mistreatment?
4. Read Hebrews 11:30-40 and discuss what you see about genuine faith
    and persecution. Pray for those being persecuted.

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday  
Abiding in Christ as a Church
John 15:1-17

1.  Read John 15:1-17.
2. To abide means to dwell or remain. It is a command to stay living in faith
    and dependence upon the Lord. What are two major results of the abiding
    life?      (vs 7-8)
3. What does “much fruit” look like in a family and a church?
4. Why did Jesus speak the truths He spoke? (vs.11) What does this mean
    for us in our daily reading of Scripture?
5. In what way are we to love one another? (vs 12-14)
6. Pray for MCC to be used to bear much fruit.